Corn-harvester



(No Model.) 2 sheets-sheet 1.

J. ODELL lCORN HARVESTER. t No. 5745108. yPatented 1390.29, 1896.

(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

J. ODBLL. i CORN HARVESTER. l y y No. 574,108.` Patented 1390.29, 1896.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

,IEPI-ITI-IA ODELL, `OF EXCELSIOR SPRINGS, MISSOURI.

CORN-HARVESTER.

SPECIFICATION forming para of Letters Patent No. 574,108, dated December 29, ieee.v

Application filed April 12, 1895. Renewed November 6, 1896. Serial No. 611,303.' (No model.)

To [all wiz/0772, t hefty (ff/labern.'

Be it known that I, JEPIITHA ODELL, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Excelsior Springs, in the county of Clay and State of Missouri, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Corn-Harvesters; and I do hereby declarethe following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to corn-harvester machines, and more particularly to machines of this character which cut the corn as the machine is drawn through the iield, the out stalks being then assembled into a shock which is supportedupon a platform or table which is caused to rotate, in order that the shock may be symmetrically built up and easily constructed by a person or persons riding upon the machine, the shock after being constructed being removed bodily from such table or platform and placed upon the ground.

My invention has for its object to simplify and improve machines of this character; and it consists of the novel arrangements and co1nbinations of parts of the machine which I will point out in this specification.

In order that my invention may be the better understood, I have in the accompanying drawings shown one and what now appears to me to be the preferred form of my invention, but I do not wish thereby to be limited in the useful applications of my invention to this particular machine, which I have illustrated for the sake of making clear my invention.

In the said drawings, Figure lis aplan view of a machine embodying my invention. 2 is a side view thereof. Fig. 3 is an inverted plan view of the machine. Fig. 4f is a transverse section taken along the line of the shaft on which the wheels are supported. Figs. 5 and (i are detached views, respectively a plan and a section, illustrating the means for adj ustably mounting the knives.

The main frame of the machine consists, essentially, of the two longitudinal side bars 2 2 and the cross-bars 3 connecting. them, these frame-pieces being so disposed as to surround a large open space in the center of the machine. This frame is supported upon the ground- Fig.

wheels 4, and `these are mounted upon the cross-shaft 5, thewheels and shaft being con-v nected by pawls and ratchets, so that the shaft iscaused to turn Withthe Wheels when they move forward, but remain stationary when they turn backward, as is common in agricultural machinery. These Wheels 4 are so disposed that the frame is substantially balanced upon their shaft, but I prefer to provide the frame with caster-wheels 6, supported at the forward ends of the longitudinal bars, and there may also be the runners 7 at the rear of the frame to prevent the frame from tilting down too far at the back when the weight of the load is thrown to the rear of the machine.

I prefer to construct the machine so that it will cut three rows of corn at once and arrange it to be drawn by two horses.

A S 8 indicate knives which are supported upon the side frame-ban 2 2 and project outward therefrom. The cutting edges of these knives incline rearward and outward and preferably extend out slightly beyond the ground-wheels 4. 9 is a knife or cutting-blade supported by the' front cross-piece 3 and arranged centrally of the machine and projecting forward. It is of substantially triangular shape, its inclined edge being sharpened. These three knives 8, 8, and 9 are situated at such distances apart that they will engage with three rows of corn and cut the same.

The knives may be of any usualor preferred construction; but I prefer that they should be hinged, as shown at 1l, so that they may be raised in order to permit the machine to pass over stumps or other obstructions when the machine is being moved from place to place.

If found desi rable,the outer blades or knives S 8 may be transversely adjustable, so that they may be arranged at different distances apart, as indicated in Figs. 5 and (i.

In order that the middle row of corn being cut may pass freely to the knife 9 and, in fact, be directed thereto, I provide the machine with two shafts l0 10, arranged a short distance apart and on either side of the knife 9, the forward ends of these shafts turning outward or away from each other.

l2 designates a platform extending across the forward part of the machine adjacent to IOO the knives and upon which stand the attendants, who take the corn as it is cut and place it upon a rotating platform or table 13, which is arranged in the open space of the machine inclosed by the side and cross frame-pieces. This rotary table has secured to its under side a gear-wheel or circular rack 1st, with which engages a pinion 15, secured to the shaft 5, so that whenever the machine moves forward the platform or table is rotated. This platform or table is suitably supported upon a pivot 16, which in this instance is shown as having` bearing in a centrally-arranged longitudinal bar or frame-piece 17. At the center of this table or platform there is arranged a support around which the cornstalks may be placed and formed into a shock. This support consists of a post or standard 18, from which there project a number of radial arms 19. There are four of these arms shown in the drawings, though this particular number is not essential to my invention, and they are hinged or pivotally connected to the standard, as at 20, so that they may be folded upward or substantially into line with the axis of the post or standard, as represented by dotted lines in Fig. 2.

The shock-standard is provided with a number of recesses or grooves 21, corresponding to the number of the arms 19, and in these recesses the inner ends of the arms are seated when they are turned down into their horizontal or substantially horizontal position. They serve to hold the arms from twisting or moving transversely upon their pivots, while leaving them free to be swung into line with the post. It will be seen that these arms provide a nu mberof lateral supports for the cornstalks and that they thus greatly assist the workmen in forming a symmetrical shock.

In order to secure the best results, the radial arms 19 should be situated at a greater distance from the table 13 when very tall corn is being harvested than when shorter corn is being cut. I have therefore made the post or standard adjustable as to its length. Any suitable means lnay be adopted for securing this adjustability for the length of the post, but I prefer that the standard should consist of two parts, the post or standard proper, 18, and a cylindrical part 35, which slides over the post and carries the arms 19. This cylindrical portion of the shock-support is provided with a springlatch 22, which serves to hold the parts of the post in the different positions to which they may be adjusted and which is arranged to be operated by a handpiece 23.

I prefer that the standard of the shocksupport should be hinged or pivotally connected at its lower end to the platform or table 13, as indicated at 24. This permits the standard to be folded down, for a purpose to be described, and in order to hold the support in an upright position I provide the standard with a hooked or brace rod 25, which is adapted to engage with an eye 2G on the table or rotary platform. lWhenever the hooked end of the rod engages with this eye, the standard is held upright, and Whenever it is disengaged therefrom the standard is free to be turned down.

There is arranged adjacent to each one of the knives a supporting-bar 27, which serves to support the stalks as they are cut, preventing them from scattering and tending to collect them whenever the attention of the attendant is diverted from the knives, as when he is placing a bundle of cut stalks against the support upon the table 13. These bars are of peculiar construction. (Indicated in Fig. 1 of the drawings.) The supportingbar for each knife has an outward-projecting arm portion 3G and a bow or C shaped receiving portion 37, the latter being arranged directly over the body of the knife. There is combined with each one of the bars 27 a spring 38, the end of the spring being opposite to that part of the bar at which the arm 36 joins the bow or C shaped part thereof. The strength of the spring is slight, so that the stalks readily pass by it and enter the bow-shaped part of the collecting-bar, which part of the bar is of sufficient size to permit the accumulation of a considerable number of stalks. After a stalk has once entered this part of the bar it can only be removed therefrom through the open space into the C-shaped part of the collecting-bar, which is in rear of the spring 38, the spring serving to prevent the stalks from falling or scat-tering in front of the machine.

Each collecting-bar 27 is mounted upon a vertical rod 39 and each spring 38 upon a similar rod 40. The bar 27 and the spring which cooperates therewith may be vertically adjustable upon their supporting-rods if it be found desirable.

The form of the collecting-bar which is associated with the centrally-arranged knife 9 is substantially like that used with the side knives 8. The spring 38, however, is somewhat different in shape, as is indicated in Fig. 1. It will be observed that the outer end of the arm 86 of this gathering or collecting bar is substantially over one of the shafts while the outer end of the spring is over the other shaft and that together these parts serve to direct the cornstalks into the open space formed by t-he bow or C shaped part of the gathering-bar.

It will be observed that immediately adjacent to the cutting edge of each knife there is a plate or table upon which the ends of the cut stalks may rest, such plate or table being preferably formed by the blade of the knife itself, which is sufliciently large to serve this purpose.

It will also be observed that the supporting and collecting bars 27 are so disposed relative to the knives or cutters that they are directly above the saidplates or surfaces upon which the ends of the cut stalks may rest, so that as soon as the stalks are cut they are IOC IIC

'supported upon the said plates and held in au upright position thereupon by the stationary collecting and supporting bars 27.

In order to deposit the shock which'has been collected upon the platform 13 on the ground, I provide the machine with a crane 2S, located at one of the rear corners of the machine. This crane may be of any usual or preferred construction. As shown, it is piv otally supported on the cross-piece 3 and is braced by the pieces 29, which, at their upper ends, bear against a collar 30, in which the standard of the crane is turned.. The horizontal arm 31 of the crane carries a rope or band, which is adapted to encircle the shock, the end of this rope being carried to a drum 32, upon which it may be wound in order to lift the shock from the table sufficiently far to permit it to be swung to a position where it may be lowered to the ground.

The operation of my machine may b e now understood. As the machine is drawn through the field it cuts three rows of corn, the stalks as soon as they are cut being supported and held by the bars 27. The attendants stand upon the platform 12 to give attention to the cutting of the corn and see that the stalks are not scattered, and whenever a sufficient quantity has been cut by any one of the knives an attendant removes them, placing them upon the platform 13 and against the support for the shock carried thereby. As the platform is slowly turned a symmetrical shock is insured, the radial arms 19 assisting the attendants in the formation of the shock, as has been stated. Vhenever a sufficiently large shock has been formed upon the plat form or table 13 the machine is stopped and the band or rope from the crane passed around the shock and drawn taut. The hooked rod 25 is then disengaged from its eye 26, the windlass is operated to lift the shocksufliciently far to clear the table and the carryingwheel, and then the shock is swung by turning the crane to a position to one side of or in rear of the machine, when it can be lowered to the ground. By reason of the standard or post 18 of the shock-support being pivoted at its lower end and the arms 19 being hinged or pivoted, as described, the clearance of the shock from the rotating table and the shocksupport is greatly facilitated, as will be apparent."

It is evident that certain features of my invention might be successfully used without out here every change, modification, or em-` bodiment of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is`

1. In a corn-harvester, the combination of a knife or blade having a plate, upon which the cut stalks may be supported, immediately adjacent to its cutting edge, and the stationary collecting-bar, 27 arranged above the said knife or blade and having an outward-projecting portion which directs the corn to the cutting edge of the knife, and another bowshaped portion situated directly above the said plate of the knife and adapted to support the stalks after they have been out, substantially as set forth.

2. In a corn-harvester, the combination of a knife or cutting-blade, a collecting and supporting bar arranged above the knife and having an outward-projecting arm to direct the stalks against the cutting edge of the knife, and a bow-shaped receiving portion in which the stalks may rest, anda spring arranged to direct the cut stalks to the receiving portion of the said bar, substantially as set forth.

3. In acorn-harvester, a shock-support ha v ing hinged radial arms, the arms being arranged at the upper end of the standard and so as to be turned up into a position substantially in line with the post or standard, substantially as set forth.

4. A corn-harvester provided with a shocksupport consisting of a post or standard recessed at its upper end, as at 21, and a plurality of arms, 19, hinged or pivoted to the post, and having their inner ends seated in the said recesses, whereby the said arms may be turned up substantially into line with the post or standard, substantially as set forth.

5. In a corn-harvester, arotary shock-support hinged or pivoted at its lower end, and provided with means for holding it in an upright position,` substantially as set forth.

6. In a corn-harvester, the combination with a rotary platform upon which the cut stalks are assembled into a shock, of a shocksupport pivoted or hinged to the said plat-A form so as to turn therewith and a hooked brace-rod by means of which the shock-support may be held in an upright position, substantially as set forth.

7 In a corn-harvester, the combination of a rotary platform upon which the cut stalks are assembled to form a shock, a pivoted o r hinged shock-support supported by and turning with the rotary platform, means for holding the shock-support in an upright position, and a crane for removing the shock to the ground, substantially as setforth.

8. In a corn-harvester, the combination of a rotary platform upon `which the stalks are assembled to form a shock, a shock-support consisting of a post or standard hinged or pivoted at or near its lower end to the central portion of the rotary platform, whereby the IOO IIO

shook-support turns with the platform, but is free to turn on its pivot when the shook is moved to the ground, and a plurality of hinged arms, 19, and means for removing the shook to the ground, substantially as set forth.

9. In a corn-harvester, the combination With a rotary platform upon which the stalks are assembled to form a shook, a pivoted or hinged shook-support, extensible or adjustable as to its length or height, carried by the said platform, means for holding the shooksupport in an upright position, the said shooksupport having a plurality of hinged or pivoted arms, 19, and means for removing the shook to the ground, substantially as set forth.

10. In a corn-harvester, the combination of the knife or blade, the collecting or gathering bar, 27, arranged adjacent to the blade and shaped to have an intermediate boW or C shaped portion situated directly over the blade, and an outward-projecting arm at the end, and a spring, 38, the end of which is arranged opposite to that part of the bar Where the said outward-projecting arm joins With the bow portion thereof, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I aix my signature in presence of tWo Witnesses.

JEPI-ITHA ODELL. Witnesses:

W. M. SULLIVAN, W. F. DEDRING. 

